The Google universe just keeps growing

Google opened its annual developers conference Wednesday with less flash than in the past, but with a parade of new entries in categories ranging from social networking (a revamped Google+) to smartphones (an unlocked Samsung Galaxy S4 that will run on a pure version of Google’s Android software) and a new music service (Google Play Music All Access, a clear effort to copy the success of services like Spotify or Rdio).

Attending Google I/O can serve as a reminder of the many products the company has introduced here amid much fanfare, only to see them go nowhere in the marketplace; releases like the Nexus Q and Google TV. But Wednesday was also an important reminder that some of the spaghetti Google throws against the wall sticks.

For instance, the company announced that Android activations have now reached 900 million and that the Chrome browser now boasts 750 million users, making both the most popular products in their respective fields.

Another reminder came during a speech by CEO Larry Page, as Google’s stock hit an all-time high, briefly reaching above $916.